Designed by you, designed for you

 Reflection of abrupt change and immediate accommodation was the inspiration for this year’s t-shirt  design winner, James Davila.

On May 5, Texas A&M University-Kingsville’s Campus Activities Board (CAB) made an announcement on their Instagram page promoting a t-shirt design contest.

Submission deadline for the contest was May 28.  CAB received 12 designs for the contest. 

 “We want[ed] to find a school-spirited design created by a TAMUK student so it could be used for our annual Fall Swap Shirt Event,” Public Relations Coordinator Erin Landin said. 

CAB Vice President Yesenia Granados explained voting took place online and concluded in early June. Senior Kinesiology Pre-Physical Therapy major James Davila drew the winning design.

“The inspiration for this design actually came from this crazy year we have all had to experience,” Davila said. 

“From being quarantined to not being able to live our normal lives, this year has taken a toll on many of us, and I wanted to put a design together that showcased just how we managed to stay strong together as a university by supporting one another. Which brought me to creating the slogan ‘TAMUK Strong.’ I wanted it to serve as a reminder that no matter the circumstances, we will stay strong and continue to push through it.”

Davila said his girlfriend referred him to the contest and encouraged him to enter.

“Going into any contest you get nervous about the outcome, especially ones like these where all the submissions were so great, but I remembered what my dad always told me growing up, that as long as I put all I have into what I am doing the rest will play itself out in due time,” Davila said.

Students voted for the winning design on CAB’s Instagram with Davila’s design wining nearly 60 percent of the vote.

“Knowing that Javelina Nation will soon be wearing a design I made really does mean the world to me.

“ I have made lifelong friends who I consider family at this university and knowing that entering my final year I am going to be able to leave a piece of myself here at TAMUK with one of my designs really does hit a soft spot with me and will be a memory I will not soon forget,” he said.

The contest is a great example of the many ways students can be involved on campus, Public Relations Coordinator Carmela Martinez said.

“I think the contest helps us make our students feel included and our organization is all about the students,” Martinez said.

 Anyone can have a voice and an opinion on something that the organization does because they are there to enhance the college experience for the students, allowing them to be as creative as possible and express themselves and what they love. 

“CAB provides opportunities to have fun on campus and meet new people,” Landin said.  

This contest is a great way for students to continue to stay involved during the summer and have fun.

“We will be continuing this contest in the following years,” Landin said.